Formula Tool

The Formula tool creates a new column, or updates a column, using one or more expressions to perform a variety of calculations and operations. See Functions for a list of functions to use when building an expression.

Use the Formula tool to:

Apply conditional statements

Convert numbers and strings

Format dates

Extract file paths

Apply financial algorithms or mathematical calculations

Find minimum and maximum values

Analyze spatial data

Cleanse string data

Perform validation tests on data

Configure the tool

In the Configuration window, select an Output Column of data in Select Column; choose an existing column or add a new column.

Columns: Data from an incoming connection, or from a column created in a previous expression.

Connections from Questions: Values from an Interface tool connected to the Question anchor of a tool with an expression editor, when the tool is used in an app or macro. Use the Question anchor when you want question values to be used as variables in the expression. See Interface Tools.

Constants: Global variables for a workflow that make it possible to change a value in a single location and have that change apply to the rest of the workflow. See Constants.

Click Functions to search and browse through categories of functions. See Functions.

Click Columns and Constants to search and browse through incoming or newly created columns and constants.

Click Recent and Saved Expressions to search and browse through recent and saved expressions.

It is helpful to add multiple expressions to a single Formula tool when modifying data in related columns or performing similar operations. When modifying unrelated data or performing unrelated functions, using multiple Formula tools assists with workflow troubleshooting.

The sequence that expressions are applied affects the results when multiple expressions modify the same data.

To reorder an expression, click and hold and drag up or down.

Because this tool includes an expression editor, an additional input anchor displays when the tool is used in an app or macro workflow. Use the Interface tools to connect to a Question anchor. See Interface Tools.